NASA technology gives Mid West athletes a lift!

Technology originally developed by NASA is being used at Active Ennis Leisure Complex in County Clare to help improve recovery times, increase mobility and lessen the chance of future injury for athletes and patients.

Active Ennis Leisure Complex is the only facility in the Mid West Region to provide public access to an anti-gravity AlterG treadmill which has previously been used by internationally renowned sports stars such as former Irish rugby international Brian O’Driscoll and Irish Olympian Derval O’Rourke.

The antigravity treadmill relies on advanced air pressure technology, which, after calibrating the user’s weight, reduces the load and impact on legs and joints at anywhere between 20 and 100 percent of the user’s body weight to allow them to walk or run.

Physiotherapists throughout the world have hailed the treadmill for its role in expediting rehabilitation for athletes overcoming lower leg injuries, or for patients with a variety of medical conditions such as Strokes, Parkinson’s Disease and total knee and hip joint replacements.

“Built in Silicon Valley using the NASA technology, this unique device has proven to be extremely successful in the areas of sports and medical rehabilitation and obesity. It has been utilised by top Olympic athletes, Premiership soccer teams and Irish Rugby players.

“The AlterG treadmill is perfect for individuals who have suffered a lower extremity injury, like an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, hip or foot and ankle injury,” explained Anne Marie Kinsella, a Chartered Physiotherapist who is based with Active Ennis.

“Even stroke patients can benefit as the AlterG helps to retrain their legs and brain with supported movements,” added Ms. Kinsella.

For more visit www.activeennis.ie.